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Tokyo apartment hunting guide – HearSay Japanese B2
Master the nuances of the Japanese real estate market with practical audio scenarios. Practice listening and speaking on the go to confidently secure your dream Tokyo apartment.
Lessons Discussing requirements and budgets Emily meets Kenji to outline her ideal apartment and financial limits.
Vocabulary 家賃 (monthly rent) 予算 (budget) 収入 (income) 希望 (desire/request) 条件 (conditions) 沿線 (railway line) 徒歩 (walking distance) Objectives State your housing budget Describe your preferred location and conditions Understanding upfront initial costs Kenji explains the unique and often expensive upfront costs of renting in Japan.
Vocabulary 初期費用 (initial costs) 敷金 (security deposit) 礼金 (key money) 仲介手数料 (agency fee) 前家賃 (first month's rent) 見積もり (estimate/quote) Objectives Ask about initial moving costs Understand security deposits and key money Request a detailed cost estimate Dealing with guarantors Emily learns about the necessity of a guarantor and how to use a guarantor company.
Vocabulary 不動産屋 (real estate agency) 保証会社 (guarantor company) 保証人 (guarantor) 審査 (screening/examination) 契約 (contract) 外国人歓迎 (foreigner-friendly) Objectives Discuss guarantor requirements Inquire about foreigner-friendly properties Understand the tenant screening process Comparing floor plans Kenji shows Emily different apartment layouts and discusses building specifications.
Vocabulary 間取り (floor plan) 畳 (tatami mat size unit) 平米 (square meters) 収納 (storage) 築年数 (age of building) 防音 (soundproofing) Objectives Compare different apartment layouts Ask about building age and soundproofing Discuss storage space needs Viewing properties and surroundings Emily visits an apartment to check the interior quality and the local neighborhood.
Vocabulary 内見 (property viewing) 日当たり (sunlight exposure) 周辺環境 (surrounding environment) 治安 (public safety) 設備 (facilities/equipment) 共益費 (maintenance fee) Objectives Arrange a property viewing Evaluate the surrounding neighborhood and safety Inquire about building maintenance fees Preparing the necessary documents Emily gathers the required paperwork to officially apply for her chosen apartment.
Vocabulary 必要書類 (necessary documents) 在留カード (residence card) 収入証明書 (proof of income) 住民票 (certificate of residence) 口座 (bank account) 印鑑 (personal seal) Objectives Prepare documents for the application Confirm bank and ID requirements Understand the use of a personal seal Moving in and apartment rules Kenji briefs Emily on Japanese apartment etiquette and trash disposal rules before handing over the keys.
Vocabulary ゴミ出し (garbage disposal) 規則 (rules) 引っ越し (moving) 入居 (moving in) マナー (manners) 解約 (cancellation of contract) Objectives Understand local garbage disposal rules Discuss move-in dates and manners Learn about contract cancellation terms 